Mongolian bikie Paul Marsandi is arrested in Perth and faces jail days after he posed for a photo with a biker gang
Mongolian bikie Paul Marsandi is arrested in Perth and faces jail days after he posed for a photo with a biker gang
- Paul Marsandi arrested and charged in Perth
- He posted pictures with the Mongols before his arrest
A motorcyclist from Mongolia posed for a photo with his infamous club just days before he was dramatically arrested following an alleged drug bust.
Paul Marsandi, 37, from Perth, posted photos online showing him standing proudly with a group of Mongol cyclists outside the gang’s clubhouse last weekend.
The 37-year-old had no idea that police were keeping a close eye on the old gang member after detectives launched an investigation into the Mongols last month.
Paul Marsandi (fifth from right), 37, posted photos to social media of him standing proudly with a group of Mongol cyclists at the gang’s clubhouse last weekend
Four days after the photo was taken, detectives arrested Marsandi and Mongols associate Dillon Ian Thomas on Thursday.
Officers were lurking in a park on Roberts Street in Joondanna when they claimed Thomas walked up to a white van and placed a package in the front seat.
Police will claim that a search of the van found more than $50,000 in cash and about 42.7 kg of methylamphetamine – worth $42 million.
Thomas was arrested and a short time later police arrested Marsandi in Albert Street, north Perth.
Both men have been charged with conspiracy, sedition, aiding and abetting after the fact or attempted possession of a negotiable amount of meth with intent to sell or supply it and money laundering.
Both now face life imprisonment.
On the same day of the arrests, officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad and Gang Crime Squad executed seven search warrants in the Perth metropolitan area.
It is alleged that while searching a home in Hamilton Hill, police found a quantity of cocaine and $60,000 in cash.
Marsandi’s younger brother Joshua Negara Marsandi, 27, was arrested after the raid and charged with possession of illegal drugs with intent to sell or supply them and money laundering.
He has no ties to the Mongols and will appear before Fremantle Magistrates Court on Friday.
In June, the Serious and Organized Crime Unit and the Gang Crime Squad began investigating several members of the Mongols.
Marsandi was arrested in north Perth on Thursday and charged with a series of offences
Marsandi lived two lives as a devoted father and husband, and a loyal Mongolian member.
Marsandi lived two lives as a devoted father and husband, and a loyal Mongolian member.
The dad-of-three’s Instagram bio reads “ROC CITY MONGOLS 1%” and “#dadlife.”
Marsandi’s social media shows contrasting images of his family on outings and vacations alongside photos of him posing with Mongolian gang members.
In one photo he is on holiday in Bali with his partner and children, in another he can be seen in the clubhouse of the Mongols.
He has a tattoo on his neck with the words ‘ROC CITY 1%’.
Marsandi was once the vice president of the rebel gang’s Rockingham chapter before it splintered to the Mongols several years ago.
Fellow Senior Mongol Jason Gastarov, who was the president of the department, had led the attack for about 40 members to divert to the Mongols, causing chaos within the rebels.
Det-Insp. Blair Smith, of the Serious and Organized Crime Division, told the West Australian that police “will continue to target those who commit serious drug offenses in this state and ultimately harm the community”.
“The investigation is ongoing and the origin of these drugs is still being investigated and we will continue to investigate members of the biker gang.
“We will use all available resources to ensure the safety of the WA community.”
Marsandi will appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on 6 October 2023.